Noone has tried answering this question elsewhere, for whatever reason, so I'll try here!?

Question

Why do people think that child molestation is a bigger problem now than it was in the past?

Imagine a girl 300 years ago telling her mum that her dad had been touching her genitals. She would have been told to stop being stupid and it would have been 'swept under the carpet'.

Can you imagine all the children that have grown up, lived their whole lives and died, having never told anyone about their secret, just because noone would have believed them anyway.

There are no more peadophile's on the earth today than there was 2000 years ago. It would be impossible for there to be more, this would mean people's brain's must have evolved since then, and they obviously haven't.

Children today are told to never let an adult touch them in a way they don't like and to tell someone if they do. That's the reason we hear more about it now, because this ancient problem is being slowy dealt with.

Why do people think this is a 'new' issue and that the world is getting so much worse?

Answer 1

You hear more about it now because the media is everywhere; newspapers, local news casts, national news casts, radio, internet........

Answer 2

Before women's rights, we were nothing more than property to our husbands.  If they didn't want us anymore, we could be killed and they wouldn't be punished.  We didn't have a big choice of jobs we could do - prostitution, maids, things like that for the rich people - and if it was the rich person who molested us or our children - we couldn't say anything for fear of losing our ability to earn enough to keep our children fed.  Widows were married right away to help support them - in some cases, by their deceased husband's brother or nearest relative.

Also, back then, people didn't move around a lot like we do today so the pedophile generally could go from town to town - and without the towns police working together, the bad guys were never caught.  Same with child abductions and deaths.

Also, back then, the population was much smaller so if, say, the child molestation rate was - just for a number - 2% of the population of children - that might have been 2% of a population of 500 in a town.  Compare it to today's towns of 15,000 or even 1.5 million.  2% of that number is a whole lot more kids being harmed.  So, even though it has been going on a long time, there are more children available to the pedophiles than there ever was in the past.  And between the pedophile moving around and the child's family moving around, there is always a new group for the pedophile to work on.

And, TV brings up the issue (which can be a good thing) and the internet allows more access of the pedophile to his children and to share what he does with other pedophiles.  If you get a day-in and day-out new report of all the s*x offenses in the United States - every day - it sounds like there is more going on than there really is.  It is taken out of perspective for the shock factor.

No matter whether it was done 300 years ago or today - either way it harms the child - emotionally and physically.  As I got older, I was surprised at how many people I worked with had been molested as children - some by cousins and uncles - some by neighbors - and one lady - who is the 3rd girl child in her family - was molested - along with her other 2 sisters - by their father - who said he wanted to show them the "correct" way to do s*x.  There are sickies out there and it's up to parents today - to teach their sons (yes sons too) and daughters what is not safe.  And, instill in them the trust that whatever happens to them, they can always come to you for help.  That pedophile may tell them that if they tell, they will kill their parents, the child, or someone or something they love.  You, as a parent, have to have more influence over the child to ensure the child that even if someone tells them that, that you won't let it happen.

Answer 3

Chidren grow up right? Now instead of being hush hush,they become adults and go for justice.And i like it!Good for those who have enough courage to speak the truth!!!!

Answer 4

its not a new issue. remember God destroyed

Sodom and Gomorrah for sexual perversion?

Answer 5

I agree, I think people are more aware of problems now because communication technology is faster and more accessible than before. I'm sure there are more paedophiles now compared to 2000 years ago though due to the simple fact that there are a lot more people alive now than there was then.

Answer 6

i agree. the world has and always will be bad, it is just now people are more open (we have the internet now- so that might have something to do with it).

Answer 7

Why do people think that child molestation is a bigger problem now than it was in the past?

THE INTERNET.

Answer 8

The same reason that many crimes today were not considered crimes long ago.  Society has changed its morals. That's why.

Answer 9

It isn't so much a new issue but one that people are finally starting to talk about.  For some many years it was a taboo topic that was just "swept under the rug".  Out of sight, out of mind.  Children had no rights as far as many were concerned.  With the advent of the internet, decent people in masses are starting to see the sick depravity of child molesters for the first time in history.  

No, it is not new.  Sick as it has always been? YES!

Answer 10

I think it has something to do with people starting to become more evolved. They are figuring out what things are acceptable and not acceptable as human behavior. Like you said, 300 if a girl tried to tell her mom that dad was touching her, it would be swept under the carpet. Things were harder then, it wasn't as easy for a woman to leave her husband and raise her children by herself. It was a take what you get way of life. Today, things like that are more open and people will talk about them. I hope  I helped somewhat.

Answer 11

Sonic the Hedgehog would have an anwser to this...

" It's no good! "

Answer 12

lots of people are just spraying bull#$%^

Answer 13

It's not, there is just more media and more ways to communicate so more people find out about it. 2000 years ago they did not have satellites and global communication, I think this is not a bigger issue, its just that more people are being forced to deal with it.

Answer 14

It is not a "new" issue; children--thankfully--have more rights now than they did before.  

Remember that the favored stance used to be that children should be seen and not heard.  

The men and women who abuse children--mentally, physically, sexually--are now being seen for the brutes they really are.  Let's just hope that it isn't simply a phenomenon here in the States, but that criminals who hurt the most innocent and least able to fend for themselves are tried everywhere.

Answer 15

some people think being g*y is a new thing too- just let it go and don't worry about the mental aptitude of people you can not help. Why does it matter how long it has been a problem- the fact is- it IS a problem right here and now and we have to protect our children

Answer 16

because years ago women thought that men wernt capable of doing such a thing to their own family but now that its been seen through the media so often people can see that they cant always trust everyone.  its not thats its happening more, its just that its being seen a lot more.

Answer 17

probaly cause like the internet and stuff like datelines "how to catch a predator."

Answer 18

I think it is just because of how things were back then. I mean i cant say why exactly as i wasnt there 3000 years ago but i do think it was just cos of the time in life. Pedophilia then would probably not have been so huge back then. Why? i dont know but thankfully it is a huge thing now because no child deserves to go through that and i think they should put pedophiles to death.